Not sure if this is a vanilla issue, a bug, or WAD:
Playing as the Spanish Empire, when I create duchies or kingdoms, I get an "increased crown authority" -40 malus from every de jure vassal of the new title. These were dukes or counts formerly direct vassals to the Imperial crown. They were under High authority as direct Imperial vassals, and they are still under high authority in the new kingdom.
It happens to all de jure vassals, even if they are not actually under the new title. I.e., de jure counts of the kingdom of Andalusia who do not become part of the newly created kingdom because the duchy of Seville has not been created.